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Sunday, March 30, 2014

Essential Oils 101: For the True Beginner {Part Two}

- learned some key words to look for when purchasing your oils - decided where to purchase your oils {direct sales, health food stores, or online like I do} - decided what medical issues you’d like to tackle with them

Now it’s time for {what I think is} the real nitty-gritty: HOW TO USE THEM. Because if any of you are like me, this is the “scariest” part, right?! It feels so daunting initially, but it’s really not complicated at all – promise. :)

It was, however, a little tricky to type out for you guys in a way that would make sense…so I decided to bite the bullet and make a movie of how to use them! YOU GUYS. As I mention in the short video, I DO NOT like seeing myself filmed! This is TRUE LOVE for you as my blog readers that I would take a video of myself, okay?! Haha! I really encourage you to watch the quick 5-minute video below before you keep reading – because it will really help everything else make a whole lot more sense! :)

{Oh and don’t even get me started on the thumbnail of my face. Worst thumbnail ever but it wouldn’t let me change it! Haha! Humbling for sure!!}

Points discussed in the video:

- When using your EOs topically, you can either use them neat {undiluted} or diluted {with some kind of carrier oil}.

- Coconut oil is a solid at room temperature, but it has a SUPER low melting point, which means that basically by rubbing it between your fingers you’ll be able to get it to spread. Some people prefer jojoba oil {and I’ve even used canola oil in a pinch! haha!} but coconut oil is the preference for most oil users. Look for organic, unrefined, highest-quality coconut oil.

- As a rule of thumb, always dilute oils with children – and especially if an oil is considered “hot.” {Oils with cinnamon in them, for instance, can irritate those with sensitive skin and should always be diluted – and some would say that hot oils should never be used on young children at all.} It’s a smart idea to dilute an oil, even as an adult and even if it’s a mild oil, the first time you use it, just to make sure you don’t have a reaction to it.

- Pretty much any area of the body is okay for using oils topically – but oils should NEVER BE USED IN THE EYES OR EARS.

- When I want to use my oils, I’ll just get a drop or two of oil out of my bottle, and combine it together in my hand with a dab of coconut oil. Then I apply it where I need to. This is because, as I mentioned in the video, I know my skin is not sensitive to them. Start with a large amount of carrier oil when you are first starting out!

The most popular/common place to put oils are on the bottoms of the feet. The feet, surprisingly enough, are a great place to put oils because there are a crazy number of pores that will help the oil absorb pretty rapidly into the body.

{I found this picture via a group I’m in on Facebook. I am still learning about “vita flex” points – but basically they are points on the feet that correlate to other parts of the body and you can use them to help heal and assist other bodily ailments. Right now I just rub oils on the bottom of my feet without paying attention to the specific vita flex points. I do this with oils that work preventatively to prevent colds and sickness, and oils that help reduce fevers and fight infections if we do get sick.}

Besides topically, you can also use oils orally, diffused {inhaled} or even rectally for certain issues {using a capsule}. Topical use is the most common use, which is why I dedicated this entire blog post to it. I may have to expand this series to a Part 4 to cover the extra uses! :)

I highly recommend reading this information about essential oils on the Heritage Essential Oils page {the company I use}. Lots of great additional information to be found there, including a helpful chart that breaks down dilution levels for children!

My goal is for you to feel empowered and educated…so if after reading this post you feel lost and confused {lol!!} PLEASE feel free to ask me a question in the comments! Okay? :)

Disclaimer:*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.*

3 comments:

This is so interesting! I'm definitely interested in something for the kids when they have colds. Would be nice to use something natural, and not Vick's Vaporub or something. Can't wait for your next installment. Are you going to go into more detail about the different types of oils and what tey're used for?

I'd love to hear from you! Comments make my day! :) I generally respond to comments right here on my blog. If you have a more specific question for me, you are always welcome to e-mail me at blessedlifeblog{at}gmail{dot}com.

I am so glad that you are here! I'm a young wife and mom just writing about life. I have a whole lot of interests, and I write a little bit about each of them. My blog title serves to remind me that everything I have is a result of God and Him alone. Be sure to let me know you stopped by - have a wonderful day!